Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso said on Thursday that his side has to forget about title rivals FC Barcelona and concentrate on their own performances for the remainder of the season.
Real Madrid is one point behind Barcelona with one game left to play this season. With both sides winning nearly all of their matches, it looks as if the first slip up from either side will prove fatal to their ambitions.
Barcelona will be further motivated in its title challenge following Wednesday's Champions League exit against Inter Milan, but Alonso says his teammates should not look at anyone else's results.
"We have to focus on ourselves and no one else. We have an important match this weekend against Osasuna, which is followed by Mallorca, Athetic (Bilbao) and Malaga," said Alonso, who reminded companions that Madrid needs Barcelona to drop points.
"We also depend on what Barcelona do, but we are only concerned about winning our matches. We have to prepare regardless of how their elimination from the Champions League affects them," he said on the Real Madrid website.
"We are fighting for the title. Both teams are strong and winning a lot of matches. We cannot worry about their results, but we hope they slip up and soon," said the former Liverpool player.
Finally the midfielder promised his support for coach Manuel Pellegrini, who is under pressure despite his team being on track for a record 98 points this season. Inter Milan's win over Barcelona has now made Inter coach Jose Mourinho favorite to take over at Real Madrid, but Alonso insists the players back their current trainer.
"We are thrilled with Pellegrini and we think we have made progress. There have been some ups and downs, but we have four matches left until the league ends and we are planning on winning all of them," he assured.